Why Won't the Graco Swing Motor Work?

Owen E. Richason IV

Graco baby swings are designed for months of use, rocking an infant from side to side and front and back, soothing her to sleep. Graco swings are battery operated so there is no power cord to cause a tripping hazard. Though battery operation has many advantages, it does have some disadvantages. When the swing motor won't operate, Graco recommends several solutions.

Step 1

Make sure the swing is level and your child is not grabbing at the swing bars. Though the motor may begin to make the swing move back and forth, if your infant extends his arms, the swing will not properly operate. Graco recommends discontinuing use if this is the case to avoid injury.

Step 2

Check the battery installation. Open the battery case cover and remove the batteries. Reinsert them, making sure to align the poles correctly. The "+" and "-" signs on the battery should match the "+" and "-" signs in the battery compartment.

Step 3

Inspect the battery compartment and batteries for corrosion. If any corrosion is present, clean it with sandpaper or steel wool. Discard any corroded batteries and replace them with new batteries.

Step 4

Turn the Graco swing off and wait a full three minutes, then turn the swing back on. If the swing is jarred or becomes unbalanced, the automatic safety shut-off will stop the motor. In addition, check the speed setting, as infants grow and gain weight, a higher setting must be chosen for the swing to operate.

Step 5

Change the batteries out with new batteries to ensure the batteries are not too weak to power the swing. Even if one battery is dead, the Graco motor may not work.